The second Jiang Yanli realized that the QishanWen sect had sent cultivators to Lotus Pier, she was terrified. It was one thing to worry about them attacking Lotus Pier. Having them actually arrive was a whole other matter. Jiang Yanli was scared. She had a whole plan in her head of what to do. Except that they weren't actually attacking yet. Should she start evacuating non-combatants? Should she take this extra time to secure important relics belonging to the sect?
Jiang Yanli wanted to do these things, but her feet remained glued in place. What if she was wrong? What if they didn't actually attack? What if her father solved it with diplomacy like he seemed to always believe he could? Would she just cause a panic for no reason like her father kept telling her? Would he think she was too panicky and unstable if she began to do these things only to find that there was no attack?
Jiang Yanli felt her pulse racing. She didn't know what to do. All that anxiety and preparation and now she was still wondering whether or not this was the emergency she had been preparing for. Jiang Yanli took a breath to try and calm down. She was used to being quiet and polite, staying out of the way. She was trying to learn to be confident. To speak out and not just accept things.
'Mianmian wouldn't worry about being embarrassed if she thought it was important.' Jiang Yanli thought with a faint smile. Jiang Yanli took a slow breath. If she had the time, then she would start with the important relics. She might not be the heir, but Jiang Yanli was still the oldest child of Sect Leader Jiang. She knew about things and had access to things that even Jiang Wanyin had not been informed of yet. Jiang Yanli stepped out of the library with her decision firmly made.
"Shijie!" Wei Wuxian's voice stopped her. Jiang Yanli turned as Wei Wuxian ran up to her, Lan Wangji following close behind him.
"A-Xian, what is it?" Jiang Yanli inquired. Wei Wuxian took a breath, his countenance suddenly becoming grave.
"The QishanWen sect have arrived. We're heading to meet with them now." Wei Wuxian said, his tone serious.
"Is there something I can do to help?" Jiang Yanli asked. She could see the anxiety in the way Wei Wuxian's eyes kept travelling toward the main gates. Wei Wuxian looked down at the ground taking a deep breath.
"They're going to attack. First we'll meet with the delegation to ask what they came here for. We'll talk for a bit. They have an army waiting somewhere, planning to attack us. If you see a signal flare go off it means they signalled their armies to attack, but they might attack without it." Wei Wuxian's words seemed to race from his mouth, spilling out in an anxious rush.
Maybe Jiang Yanli should feel surprised to hear this. Maybe she should have wondered how Wei Wuxian could know, but she didn't. She had complete faith that if Wei Wuxian said this would happen, then it was so. Oddly enough Jiang Yanli instantly felt calmer. Her anxiety was confirmed to be reality, but somehow that made Jiang Yanli feel better. Wei Wuxian's eyes darted a quick glance towards Jiang Yanli. Seeing the nervous look in his eyes, Jiang Yanli gently took Wei Wuxian by the shoulders, rubbing her hands up and down his arms a few times to reassure him.
"I understand. Is there something you need me to do?" Jiang Yanli inquired. Wei Wuxian's eyes widened in surprise. His mouth opened, but it seemed Wei Wuxian had temporarily forgotten what he intended to say. Wei Wuxian remained wide eyed and mute until Lan Wangji stepped forward and placed a hand on Wei Wuxian's back.
"Wei Ying." Lan Wangji's voice was gentle. Wei Wuxian shook his head, seeming to return to his senses. He looked at Lan Wangji who gave him a small reassuring nod.
"You know the evacuation route. I want you to start gathering up the young kids, their caretakers, and elders who are unable to fight. Don't start evacuating them until you see the barrier go up. Once it is up, start evacuating the non-combatants, then the youngest disciples. Do you remember where the supply cache was?" Wei Wuxian inquired.
"Yes." Jiang Yanli replied with a nod. She was well aware of where it was. Not only because she was with Wei Wuxian when he picked it out, but because she had been adding to it ever since the attack on Cloud Recesses.
"Make sure you grab it. There's rough clothes. Have everyone change out of their YunmengJiang colours at the earliest chance. Head towards Cloud Recesses." Wei Wuxian continued in a hushed voice.
"A-Xian, you make it sound like you won't be coming with us." Jiang Yanli said with a deep frown. Wei Wuxian laughed nervously.
"Shijie, I have to help defend Lotus Pier. You'll be the one who can lead people away. I'll be with the disciples when they fall back. If they fall back." Wei Wuxian added the last part very quietly.
"A-Xian, do you believe we will be able to hold Lotus Pier?" Jiang Yanli inquired. Wei Wuxian froze. He swallowed and opened his mouth, and Jiang Yanli knew he was about to lie. She put up her hand to stop him from speaking. "Don't lie to me, A-Xian. You were at the attack of Cloud Recesses. You and Lan Wangji are the best able to judge how this fight will go." Jiang Yanli said firmly.
"No." Wei Wuxian said with a dejected sigh. "This is only going to be a matter of how long we can hold it and how much damage we can do before we have to retreat. We can't hold Lotus Pier. I am just hoping we can save as much of the YunmengJiang sect as possible." Wei Wuxian looked sad and ashamed. Jiang Yanli leaned forward and hugged Wei Wuxian tight.
"A-Xian. Be careful. You have to survive this fight and come with us to Gusu," Jiang Yanli whispered gently. Wei Wuxian returned the hug, holding her tight.
"I'll try Shijie. I... I'll protect your family with my life." Wei Wuxian whispered. Jiang Yanli pulled away with a frown.
"A-Xian." Jiang Yanli's tone was scolding. "I need you to keep yourself alive. I know you will do your best to protect everyone else. I am asking you to do your best to keep yourself alive. A-Die and A-Niang are strong, they can protect themselves. I'd be lying if I said you might not need to drag A-Cheng away from the battle. Just do your best to make sure you both come back to me. I need my didi's safe." Jiang Yanli said firmly.
Wei Wuxian was staring at her like he had never seen her before. His eyes were glassy with unshed tears. That shocked and tearful expression hurt something inside of Jiang Yanli. She had always considered Wei Wuxian her didi, but she never dared say it out loud. She had done so when very young and her mother had not taken it well. If she was the only one her mother yelled at, then Jiang Yanli might have still called Wei Wuxian her didi out loud from time to time. As is, Wei Wuxian had been punished to kneel in the ancestral hall for eight hours. He was only nine years old at the time.
"Lan Wangji," Jiang Yanli said, turning her attention to Wei Wuxian's betrothed. "Take care of A-Xian. Bring him back alive." Jiang Yanli said firmly.
"Jiang-guniang, you have my word." Lan Wangji bowed deeply to Jiang Yanli. She gave Wei Wuxian one last hug before she stepped back.
"I mean it, A-Xian. Be careful." Jiang Yanli said quietly. Wei Wuxian gave her a smaller version of his mischievous smile.
"Of course Shijie." Wei Wuxian said before he started off toward the main hall. Jiang Yanli sighed deeply at his retreating back.
"A-Xian, you are never careful when it comes to your own well being." Jiang Yanli mumbled. Jiang Yanli changed her initially intended direction, heading first to gather the children and their caretakers. She could have them gather and prepare to evacuate. Then find a few of the elderly healers and ask them to gather the other civilians. They didn't need her to gather every person herself, and there were things that she could do to help the YunmengJiang sect survive the temporary loss of their home.
'Temporary.' Jiang Yanli repeated silently. 'Even if you claim our home today, we will take it back.' Jiang Yanli silently vowed. On her way towards her destination she paused. The armoury was on the way, it didn't house any spiritual weapons since any un-owned spiritual tools were kept in a special vault. Jiang Yanli decided to detour inside the armoury. She took a sword and continued on her way. If there was ever a day when she should wield a sword in the presence of others, today was it.
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Backlash Part 1
FanfictionAt the moment of his death, Wei Wuxian is sent back in time. He wakes up in the Cold Spring of Cloud Recesses during the time when he was there to study. Traumatized and exhausted Wei Wuxian attempts to end his life, only to be stopped by Lan Wang...
